Tottenham Hotspur, a Premier League Football Club have ditched their sponsorship deal with Russian Gambling Operator 1xBet, after 1xBet’s UK License has been suspended.
UKGC Warning
Tottenham recently received a warning from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), along with Liverpool and Chelsea. If the clubs were to promote a business that no longer holds UK licensing they will be imposed with a hefty fine and prosecution.1x2Bet became the football clubs official betting partner for Africa, with Liverpool and Chelsea signing similar contracts. The UKGC are currently investigating 1xBet that operates as a white label partner of betting technology and platform provider FSB Technology UK, who are also under investigation.
Huge Fines and Imprisonment
The Commission urged all clubs who had sponsorship deals to severe ties with 1xBet and warned that if not, they could face ‘unlimited fines and up to 51 days imprisonment’, as reported in the Sunday Times.Tottenham so far is the only club to take immediate action after the stark warning.A recent investigation by the Sunday Times revealed questions as to the type of advertising the operator chose. The Sunday Times found out 1xBet were involved in betting on children’s sports, cockfighting and ‘Pornhub’ Casino, which promotes topless dealers.The UK are not the only country to blacklist the operator, following in the footsteps of Poland and Israel. The operator blamed affiliates for promoting their brand illegally, they are said to be taking the allegations seriously and will be launching their own investigation.